Hand bag and hand bag cover



O 1934- B. R. THORNHILL ET AL HAND BAG AND HAND BAG COVER Filed Aug. 18, 1953 [1V VEIV TOR-S B. Tim R0 kid-L H J .llllllr lrllllfl I 1 1 n. lillllllll lll' Bertie B Y WE.

Oct. 1934- 'B. R. THORNHILL ET AL 1,978,971

HAND BAG AND HAND BAG COVER Filed Aug. 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ DarfieR-Tlwrahilb Patented Oct. 30, 1934 PATENT OFFICE HAND BAG AND HAND BAG COVER Bertie R. Thornhill and Mamie E. Rohr, Lynchburg, Va., assignors to The Virginia Art Goods Studios, Inc., Lynchburg, Va a corporation of Virginia Application August 18,

15 Claims.

Our present invention relates generally to receptacles, and has particular reference to ladies handbags.

It is a general object of our invention to provide an improved bag of the type in which a foundation member of relative rigidity is removably associated with an outer enclosure composed of relatively limp and preferably launderable material.

It is a wellknown fact that ladies handbags, through extensive usage, are likely to become soiled, and it is a more specific object of our invention to provide a device which permits the exterior enclosure of the handbag to be, removed from the foundation member for the purpose of permitting the enclosure to be laundered.

One of the main features of our present invention lies in an improved construction in which the enclosure is more securely and more efficientg0 ly held in proper relation to the foundation member which it accommodates.

Briefly, our invention provides for an enclosure which comprises a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion being shaped and configured to snugly accommodate the bag body of a foundation member of relative rigidity. To provide for the secure maintenance of the bag portion of the enclosure in proper relationship around the bag body of the foundation member, we provide a means on one wall of the bag body to cooperate with-complementary means on the corresponding wall of the enclosure, to permit of a separable association of the two elements, and thereby ensure the properly maintained superposition of the corresponding walls of the enclosure and the accommodated bag.

In an illustrated embodiment of our invention, the front wall of the foundation bag body is provided with a button,'and the corresponding wall of the bag portion of the enclosure is provided with a buttonhole through which the button is adapted to engage.

which the flap of the foundation may be received.

1933, Serial No. 685,697

A further feature of our invention lies in the provision that the buttonhole when presented in the flap portion of the enclosure provided with a pocket, shall be in a positional relationship with respect to the pocket in said fiap portion, whereby the engagement and disengagement of the flap portion with the button or similar fastener may be achieved independently of the closure flap that may be accommodated within the pocket of the enclosure.

A still further feature of our invention lies in providing a bag in which expansible side walls are associated with front and rear walls of a bag body for reception in an enclosure with corresponding walls; and in providing said side wall with means for maintaining the proper relationship between the side walls of the bag body and the side walls of the enclosure, during expansion and other manipulation of the handbag.

We achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative foundation member;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the corresponding enclosure;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembled handbag, shown in closed condition;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially along the line 4- 1 of Figure 3, with the handbag open; and

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

In the embodiment herein chosen for illustration, the foundation member, which may be of any desired or suitable material of relative rigidity, is comprised of a front wall 10, a rear wall 11, side walls in the form of gussets 12, and a fiap 13. The walls 10 and 11 are of substantially the same configuration, being substantially rectangu- Another feature of our invention h as in the c lar except for the side edges WhlCh are downwardly divergent to, the points 14 and thereafter sharply convergent until the lower edge 15 is reached. This configuration is designed to provide for an expansibility of the bag, and this expansibility is further provided for by forming the side walls 12 with medial creases 16.

While the walls 10, 11, and 12 form a bag body providing a pocket which is open at the top, it will be understood that this can be maintained in closed relation in any preferred or desired manner. The walls 10 and 11 are secured together along the conmion lower edge 15, and the side walls 12 are suitably configured to complete the construction.

We do not mean to limit ourselves to any speoific configuration of the walls entering into the brought over the top of the bag body into a position overlying the front wall 10.

For a purpose presently to be described, the front wall 10 is provided with a securing element preferably arranged at the midportion thereof,

. this means being shown for illustrative purposes as a relatively large button 18. Also, the side walls 12 are provided, preferably adjacent to their upper edges, with securing elements, such as buttons 19 or the like.

The interior of the foundation member may be fitted with any desired subordinate compartments,

partitions, pockets, or the like to suit requirements,

and these auxiliary structural features do not enter into the present invention and are, therefore, not described herein in detail.

In accordance with our invention, the foundation member of Figure 1 is adapted to be snugly and removably accommodated within an outer enclosure which is illustrated in Figure 2. This enclosure is composed entirely of relatively limp fabric, the term fabric being intended to be used in its broadest sense, since we do not mean to limit ourselves to a woven material. The material is preferably, though not necessarily, of a washable or launderable character.

The enclosure is provided with a bag portion and a flap portion. The bag portion is comprised of the front wall 20, the rear wall 21, and the side walls 22, these walls conforming substantially, as to size and configuration, to the corresponding walls of the foundation member, whereby the bag body of the foundation member may be snugly accommodated within the bag portion of the enclosure.

The upper end of the front wall 20 is preferably provided with the extension 23 which is adapted to overlap the upper edge of the front wall 10 of the foundation when the parts are assembled.

The front wall 20 is also provided with a fastening means complementary to the fastener 18; and in the illustrated embodiment we have shown an arrangement which provides for a buttonhole 24 on the front wall 20, this buttonhole being adapted to engage separably over the button 18 when the foundation member is inserted into the enclosure.

, The side walls 22 are provided with fastening elements or members complementary to the buttons 19, and we show the use of buttonholes 25 for this purpose, these buttonholes being adapted to engage separably with the buttons 19.

Obviously, equivalents of the buttons and buttonhole associations 19 and 25 and I8 and 24, if desired may be provided; and in some instances it may, for example, be preferable to provide two sets of buttonholes, to permit an extraneous fastening element to be passed therethrough, much as 9. end link is passed through a pair of complementary buttonholes.

The flap portion 26 of the enclosure is shown as constructed to form a pocket 27, which is thereby adapted to accommodate the flap 13 of the foundation member, where such flap is employed.

In accordance with one phase of our present invention, the flap portion 26 is provided with an extension 28 in which a securing element such as buttonhole 29 is formed, this buttonhole being arranged and adapted to engage over the button 18 after the parts have been assembled and whenever the bag is to be closed. It will, ofcourse, be understood that the securing means 18, 24 and 29 are complementary.

By comparing the configuration of the flap 13 of Figure 1 with that of the flap portion 26 of Figure 2, it will be observed that the buttonhole 29 is arranged beyond the bounds of the pocket which accommodates the fiap 13. This permits the extension 28 and the buttonhole 29 to be manipulated with considerable ease, since the fiap 13 is relatively rigid while the material of the enclosure is relatively limp; and this in turn permits the flap 28 to be associated with the button 18 with great facility, whenever the bag is to be closed. The buttonhole 29 may thus be said to constitute a fastening means, complementary to the fastener 18, and manipulable independently of the closure flap 13 which is accommodated within the pocket 27.

When the enclosure is to be laundered or washed, it is removed from the foundation memher, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. When the handbag is to be assembled for use, the foundation member of Figure 1 is snugly fitted into the enclosure of Figure 2 in a manner which will be clear from the description given. The bag body 11) of the foundation member fits snugly into the bag portion of the enclosure, and the closure flap 13 is easily manipulable to fit it into the pocket 26 of the flap portion of the enclosure. The buttonhole 24 is then engaged over the button 18, and the buttonholes 25 are engaged over the corresponding buttons 19. The bag is then ready for use, and when the parts are thus assembled they assume the relative positions of Figure 4 whenever the bag is open. It will be observed 12 that the bag is freely usable in the usual manner, and that the expansion and contraction of the bag, during use, is accompanied by a maintained proper relationship between the several walls of the foundation member and the corresponding walls of the enclosure. More particularly, the creasing and uncreasing of the side walls 12 is accompanied by a corresponding deformation of the sides 22 of the enclosure, since the buttons 19 engage with the buttonholes 25 to hold these c parts in proper relationship. Similarly, the buttonhole 24 engaging with the button 18 holds the front walls 10 and 20 in predetermined proper superposed position. Furthermore, the flap 13 cannot, unless deliberately manipulated, escape from the confines of the pocket 27 in the fiap portion 26.

It will thus be seen that we have provided a handbag of exceptionally desirable characteristics. Not only is the enclosure removable for ,1 purposes of laundering, but it is capable of replacement by similarly constructed enclosures which may, for example, be of different materials or ornamentation. In this way, the owner, upon choosing a particular foundation bag having the 5 particular fittings which best suit her purposes or desires, may use the bag repeatedly and over long periods of time; and may at the same time maintain the enclosure always in a clean and attractive condition; and may, in fact, alter the enclosure so as to make it appear as though she were wearing an entirely different bag.

The particular disposition of the several fastening elements, and the nature of these elements, may obviously be altered to suit differing requirements. The extension 23 may, if desired, be provided with a fastening element which facilitates its proper location over the upper edge of the wall 10 when the bag is assembled. Furthermore, the particular configuration of the bag and closure flap, herein illustrated only by way of example, may be readily modified to suit differ-ing requirements and styles.

, In general, it will be obvious that changes in the details, herein described and illustrated for the',purpose of explaining the nature of our invefition, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. For example, a bag body of the foundation can be maintained closed at will by means such as the well known slide fastener. So also certain features of our invention may be attained even though the foundation bag is not provided with the flap 13, in which event the flap 26 of the enclosure need not be provided with a pocket or if provided with a pocket, there can be associated therewith a stiffening insert to function in this relation as does the flap 13 in Figure 4.

Having thus described our invention, and illustrated its use, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having front, rear, and side walls defining a bag body, and a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising front, rear, and side walls conforming, respectively, to the sizes and shapes of the corresponding walls of said bag body, a closure flap for the enclosure and 'a closure for the foundation member fitting into the flap of the enclosure, said flaps being adapted to overlie the upper end of the bag body when the-handbag is closed, and means associated with the side walls of the foundation member and the corresponding side walls of the enclosure adapted for retaining the latter in proper position.

2. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having front, rear, and expansible side walls defining an expansible bag body, and a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising front, rear, and side walls conforming, respectively, to the sizes and shapes of the corresponding walls of said bag body, a closure flap for the enclosure and a closure fiap for the foundation member fitting into the flap of the enclosure, said flaps being adapted to overlie the upper end of the bag body when the handbag is closed, and cooperating securing elements carried by the side walls of the foundation member and the corresponding side walls of the enclo-- sure for retaining the latter in superposed rela tion to the former during expansion and contraction of the bag body.

3. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having front, rear; and expansible side walls defining a bag body, a flap hinged to the rear wall, and a r removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion having front, rear, and side walls conforming, respectively, to the sizes and shapes of the corresponding walls of said bag body, said flap portion having a pocket adapted to enclose theflap of the foundation member, and means engaging each side wall of the foundation member and the corresponding side wall of said bag portion adapted for maintaining the latter in snug conformity with the bag body.

4. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having walls defining a bag body, a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion being shaped and configured to snugly enclose said bag body, a fastener carried by the front wall of the bag body and separably engaging through the corresponding wall of said bag portion for retaining said walls in proper relationship, and means on said flap portion adapted to engage with said fastener when the flap portion is caused to overlie the open end of said bag body, thereby closing the handbag.

5. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having walls defining a bag body, a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion being shaped and configured to snugly enclose said bag body, a buttonhole provided in the front wall of said bag portion, a button carried by the corresponding wall of the enclosed bag body and adapted to engage through said buttonhole to retain said walls in proper relationship, and a buttonhole provided in said fiap portion and adapted to engage over said button when the fiap portion overlies the upper end of the bag body to close the handbag.

6. In a handbag of the character described, a foundationmember of relative rigidity having walls defining a bag body, a fiap hinged to one of said walls, a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion snugly enclosing said bag body and the flap portionhaving a pocket adapted to enclose said flap, a fastener carried by the front wall of the bag body and separably engaging through the corresponding wall of said bag portion, and means on said flap portion beyond the boundary of the enclosed flap for engaging said fastener when the handbag is closed.

'7. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having walls defining a bag body, a flap hinged to one of said walls, a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a fiap portion, the bag portion snugly enclosing said bag body and the fiap portion having a. pocket adapted to enclose said flap, a fastener associated with the front wall of said bag portion, and means on said fiap portion beyond the boundary of the enclosed flap for engaging said fastener when the handbag is closed.

8. In a handbag of the character described, a foundation member of relative rigidity having walls defining a bag body, a closure flap hinged to one of said walls, a removable enclosure for said foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion snugly enclosing said bag body and the fiap portion having a pocket adapted to enclose said closure flap, a buttonhole in thefront wall of the bag portion, a button on the bag body separably engaging'through said buttonhole, and a buttonhole in the flap portion beyond the boundary of the enclosed closure flap for engaging said button when the handbag is closed.

9. For use in a bag construction, an enclosure to receive a relatively stifi foundation bag, said enclosure being of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, thebag portion being of a size and shape adapted to enclose the bag body of the foundation memher, the flap portion having a pocket adapted to enclose a closure flap of the foundation member, and fastening means on the flap portion beyond the bounds of said pocket to permit the flap portion to be independently secured in position over the bag portion when the bag is closed.

10. In a handbag of the character described, a removable enclosure for a foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion being adapted to enclose the bag body of a foundation and the flap portion having a pocket adapted to enclose the flap of the foundation and cooperating means associated with the flap portion and the bag portion for securing these parts in associated closed relation the means on the flap portion being positioned beyond the pocket in the flap portion, whereby when the foundation flap is received in said pocket portion it will serve to assist in manipulating the means on the flap portion, the flap portion beyond the boundary of the enclosed closure flap having means for engaging a button on the bag body when the handbag is closed.

11. In a handbag of the character described, a removable enclosure for a foundation member, said enclosure being composed of relatively limp fabric and comprising a bag portion and a flap portion, the bag portion being adapted to enclose the bag body of a foundation and the flap portion having a pocket adapted to enclose the flap of the foundation and cooperating means associated with the flap portion and the bag portion for securing these parts in associated closed relation the means on the flap portion being positioned beyond the pocket in the flap portion, whereby when the foundation flap is received in said pocket portion it will serve to assist in manipulating the means on the flap portion, the flap portion beyond the boundary of the enclosed closure flap having a buttonhole therein for engaging said button when the handbag is closed.

12. A handbag comprising a foundation member including front and rear walls and side walls in the form of gussets connecting the front and rear walls together at thesides, a removable enclosure for said foundation member including front and rear walls and side walls in the form of gussets connecting the front and rear walls together at the sides, and means on the side walls of the foundation member and the enclosure to keep the side walls of the enclosure against the side walls of the foundation member to preserve the gusset effect of the enclosure.

13. A handbag according to claim 12, in which the means is in the form of a button on one 01' the side walls and a buttonhole on the adjacent side wall so that the gussets of the enclosure may be removably held in place against the gussets of the foundation member.

14. A removable cover for a handbag comprising front and rear walls and side walls in the form of gussets connecting the front and rear 7;

bag to preserve the gusset effect and to maintain the cover on the foundation bag.

15. A removable cover according to claim 14, in which a. flap portion is secured to one of the front and rear walls and having a pocket therein adapted to fit over a flap portion of the foundation bag.

BERTIE R. THORNHILL. MAMIE E. ROHR. 

